QB's long outing doesn't provide much clarity

SEATTLE — Tarvaris Jackson didn't get any type of physical test on the Vikings' opening series of Saturday night's preseason game, but the quarterback's mental toughness certainly was challenged.

With the Vikings' beginning from their 20-yard line, Jackson barked out the signals, took the snap ... and failed to hang on. Defensive tackle Rocky Bernard recovered, and four plays later the Seahawks had a three-point lead in their 30-13 victory at Qwest Field.

It wasn't exactly what Brad Childress had in mind, but it did give the Vikings coach an opportunity to see how Jackson would handle a rough start. To his credit, Jackson didn't fold, but clearly the second-year QB remains a work in progress.

Jackson, who along with several other members of the Vikings first team played into the third quarter, completed nine of 18 passes for 117 yards with no interceptions or touchdowns. Five of those balls went to receiver Bobby Wade, who also threw for only the second touchdown produced by the offense this preseason.

"I thought he did a good job of throwing the ball up the field," Childress said of Jackson. "They were coming after him [on blitzes], and he didn't stand and hold the football. He had the answers."

Said Jackson, "I felt we did well and we have stuff to build on."

Brooks Bollinger replaced Jackson with 6 minutes, 11 seconds left in the third quarter and did not fare as well. Bollinger was 6-for-11 for 52 yards and threw two interceptions in the final quarter. His first was the most costly. Bollinger tried to get a pass to receiver Justin Surrency, but Seahawks cornerback Kevin Hobbs jumped the route and returned the ball 39 yards for a touchdown and a 30-13 lead.

Saturday's game served as the Vikings' final true tune-up before opening the regular season on Sept. 9 against Atlanta. Next Thursday's exhibition vs. Dallas likely will feature a brief appearance by many starters.

That will include running back Chester Taylor and cornerback Antoine Winfield. Both saw extensive action Saturday. Taylor carried eight times for 61 yards and combined with Adrian Peterson to rush for 102 yards on 18 carries; Winfield, meanwhile, had eight tackles and also picked off a second-quarter pass by Matt Hasselbeck to put the Vikings at the Seahawks 43-yard line.

Winfield's interception set up Wade's scoring pass. Wade took a handoff from Jackson, rolled right and found tight end Visanthe Shiancoe from 6 yards out to pull the Vikings within 9-7.

More important than Wade's passing was his contribution receiving. On the opening play of the Vikings' scoring drive, he caught a 35-yard pass down the left sideline on a nicely thrown ball by Jackson. That accounted for the biggest chunk of Wade's 85 receiving yards.

Wade almost made the catch of the night at the Seattle 6-yard line on another long pass from Jackson. This pass wasn't nearly as well thrown, and cornerback Marcus Trufant had position on the ball as Wade fell the ground. However, the pass went through Trufant's hands and Wade seemed to make the catch while on his side. But replay officials reviewed the play, and it was determined that the ball had hit the ground. Wade left the game in the third quarter because of a sprained ankle.

Among the biggest areas of concern coming out of Saturday's game are the right tackle job and special teams coverage. Ryan Cook got the start at right tackle but had two false starts in the first quarter. Marcus Johnson also saw playing time with the first team at the position.

As for the special teams, the punt coverage unit gave up a 53-yard return to former Vikings receiver Nate Burleson in the first quarter to set up one of kicker Josh Brown's three first-half field goals. In the third quarter, Josh Wilson returned a kickoff 38 yards and the Seahawks scored on the following play when backup quarterback Seneca Wallace found Ben Obomanu on a 57-yard pass that left rookie cornerback Marcus McCauley behind.

Judd Zulgad • jzulgad@startribune.com